Vacon's New NXP range of grid converters are expected to increase take up of cold ironing as they allow vessels to draw shore power irrespective of the supply frequency needed. "NXP converters can always match the onshore power frequency to the frequency required by the shipboard systems - they can convert 50Hz shore supplies to 60Hz for use on the ship or vice versa, with minimal losses and with exceptionally low harmonic distortion," said a company spokesperson. Cold ironing has been lauded for a number of reasons including cost savings (as power produced by shore-based power plants is often cheaper than using fuel) as well as for environmental reasons (eliminating emissions when at a port). "Cold ironing also has the potential to offer significant savings on the cost of the power as well as reducing wear and tear on the ship's generator sets and making them readily available for maintenance and repair," the spokesperson added.
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